Partnerships for Great Visitor Centers

Lake: Lake Kaweah

Park: Lake Kaweah

Corps POC: Phil Deffenbaugh

Partnership Type: Cooperating Association Agreement

Partners:

1.	Sequoia Natural History Association (SNHA)

Story:
Lake Kaweah has a partnership with Sequoia Natural History Association (SNHA). Originally, SNHA began in Sequoia National Park to help in the visitor centers. In time they grew into interpretation, publications and education. Historically, SNHA helped the National Parks by staffing their visitor centers and generating revenue. Now SNHA runs a huge education program as well as a field institute. Lake Kaweah's partnership developed during a lunch discussion about National Public Lands Day (NPLD). The lunch began by discussing how the Army Corps of Engineers and the National Park Service could better work together for NPLD. In our discussion, it was mentioned that Lake Kaweah would like to build a visitor center and create a cooperative association. It was already known that cooperative associations could help with staffing, revenue, and support various projects. With an ever-shrinking budget it sounded like a good idea. A few weeks later, Mark Tilchen, Executive Director SNHA, called and said SNHA would like to come on as the cooperating association. The partnership was born. During this time period, Lake Kaweah was raising their spillway, which would allow for an additional 42,666 acre feet of storage and an additional 241 surface acres of water. This major construction project provided the means with which a new visitor center building could be acquired and SNHA was happy to help Lake Kaweah make their visitor center a reality. Officially, the partnership began in January 2003 and could be re-evaluated every five years. During this time applicable changes could be made to the agreement and it could be renewed. The visitor center provides a destination for visitors to come and ask questions and SNHA staff helps to answer those questions. They can pick up brochures, passes, maps and local information. Many of our visitors come to the visitor center to tell their stories and experiences during past floods or what the area used to be like before the dam. The Corps provides information about USACE and the surrounding areas. It gives the visitors an opportunity to learn about the Corps of Engineers and Lake Kaweah. SNHA, Lake Kaweah staff, volunteers, and students staff the visitor center. The visitor center workers are trained in public speaking, information about Lake Kaweah, and the USACE. Additionally, the operation of the visitor center provides an easy avenue for the public to make contact with the staff and through them the US Army Corps of Engineers. It is just another way to serve the public.

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